Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Branson on January 20, 2013, 05:49:42 PM

Title: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Branson on January 20, 2013, 05:49:42 PM
There was no way to pass this one up for $20.  It needs a lot of TLC, and some straightening here and there, but all the drawers move in and out, and with a little judicious oiling should come in and out easily.  There's just enough of the original felt to show the original felt was black.  I'm pretty sure I can take the lock out and have it keyed. 

The cover for the drawers is probably the worst part.  It needs to be straightened so the hold downs will both work.  Not sure just how to approach the cover, since its hollow between the front and back sides. One of the two pulls is missing.

I'd love to paint it, but I don't like the idea of losing the Utica Bonney painted on it.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: jabberwoki on January 20, 2013, 09:07:11 PM
Very nice should look terrific all spruced up.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Neals on January 20, 2013, 10:51:19 PM
Nice score! I have never seen anything like it.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: bonneyman on January 20, 2013, 10:52:46 PM
The Bonneyman approves!
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Nolatoolguy on January 21, 2013, 02:36:19 AM
Very cool!

I agree with not wanting to loose the original pint.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on January 21, 2013, 08:12:36 AM
It appears to be the same as the Miller-Bonney that I have. Condition is similar. What color is it outside and what color is it inside? Mine is semi gloss black outside and Kennedy wrinkle brown on the inside. I don't have the front cover. Nice find!

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb373/johnsironsanctuary/My%20Wrenches/Bonneytoolbox1.jpg)
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on January 21, 2013, 08:31:10 AM
Now that I have seen your toolbox logo, I looked at mine again.  It actually is easier to see in the photo that I posted than it is looking at the real thing.  I think that maybe I too have a Utica//Bonney, not a Miller//Bonney.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb373/johnsironsanctuary/My%20Wrenches/Bonneytoolbox.jpg)
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Branson on January 21, 2013, 11:41:39 AM
Now that I have seen your toolbox logo, I looked at mine again.  It actually is easier to see in the photo that I posted than it is looking at the real thing.  I think that maybe I too have a Utica//Bonney, not a Miller//Bonney.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb373/johnsironsanctuary/My%20Wrenches/Bonneytoolbox.jpg)

Looks nearly identical to me.  Except for the paint color.  Maybe if I gently get off some of the rust on the exterior I'll find something different, but I suspect the inside and outside got the same paint.  The inside shows an unblemished area of a medium gray smooth paint.  The first picture showing the underside of the lid is pretty accurate -- unlike the second photo which looks blue.

Any remnants of the original felt in yours?  There's about 3 square inches of black felt in the top compartment, but nothing is left in the drawers.

They have to have been made by the same company, but the differences in paint looks like they were made at different times.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: lauver on January 22, 2013, 11:53:45 PM
Gang,

I don't know if it will help at all, but I have a Utica/Bonney roll cabinet with a fairly crisp painted logo.  Here's a photo:

(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/UticaBonneyCab2.jpg)

You can take a photo like this to a sign shop and have them make you a painting stencil or a decal.  Or, if you can find an old school sign painter, he can use the photo as a guide.

Just some thoughts on restoring your chests.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: amertrac on January 23, 2013, 03:27:10 AM
DROOL   DROOL   WHAT A CHEST . THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF WAS MY MINATURES   LOL  BOB W.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Branson on January 23, 2013, 08:47:28 AM
DROOL   DROOL   WHAT A CHEST . THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF WAS MY MINATURES   LOL  BOB W.

Me too.  But then, if mine looked that good, it wouldn't have fit into my budget. 

Gorgeous machinist's box, Lauver!
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on January 23, 2013, 09:16:12 AM
Thanks Gary. How about a shot of the whole roller cab? I too am jealous of the condition, but then, I only paid $15 for mine. I am torn between a complete repaint and leaving the logo panel rusty with a coat of clear. After seeing yours, I'm leaning toward a whole repaint.

Branson, is yours cracked at the top from being lifted too often, too full?

I talked to a girl at Kennedy customer service and she claimed that Kennedy never made boxes for Bonney.  Did anyone else use wrinkle brown paint?
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Branson on January 23, 2013, 12:44:41 PM
Thanks Gary. How about a shot of the whole roller cab? I too am jealous of the condition, but then, I only paid $15 for mine. I am torn between a complete repaint and leaving the logo panel rusty with a coat of clear. After seeing yours, I'm leaning toward a whole repaint.

Branson, is yours cracked at the top from being lifted too often, too full?

I talked to a girl at Kennedy customer service and she claimed that Kennedy never made boxes for Bonney.  Did anyone else use wrinkle brown paint?

I'm torn about the same painting issue.  I guess the chest will get the clear coat treatment in the logo area.  The rest needs paint.

No cracks visible in the lid. 

Did you ask the gal about Utica?  If there ever was a maker's mark on mine, it's long gone or well hidden.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: lauver on January 26, 2013, 03:47:57 PM
Thanks Gary. How about a shot of the whole roller cab? I too am jealous of the condition, but then, I only paid $15 for mine. I am torn between a complete repaint and leaving the logo panel rusty with a coat of clear. After seeing yours, I'm leaning toward a whole repaint.

Branson, is yours cracked at the top from being lifted too often, too full?

I talked to a girl at Kennedy customer service and she claimed that Kennedy never made boxes for Bonney.  Did anyone else use wrinkle brown paint?

JIS,

Here ya go:

(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/UticaBonneyCab5.jpg)
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on January 26, 2013, 04:07:52 PM
Thanks Gary. I am still drooling from last week. NICE!

Branson, I called Kennedy customer service and the lovely, talented Michelle said she would do some research. I sent photos of mine and told her of your blue one. No word back yet.

The felt is black.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: lauver on January 26, 2013, 04:39:13 PM
JIS,

For The Record-- My 1960's era U/B cabinet has smooth paint in & out with no felt in the drawers.  Looks to be Waterloo-ish.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: Branson on January 27, 2013, 07:07:29 AM
Thanks Gary. I am still drooling from last week. NICE!

Branson, I called Kennedy customer service and the lovely, talented Michelle said she would do some research. I sent photos of mine and told her of your blue one. No word back yet.

The felt is black.

I look forward to the results of "the lovely, talented Michelle's" research.  I should point out that mine only *looks* blue in the picture.  It's basic battleship gray.
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: packardv8 on January 30, 2013, 11:52:50 AM
Interestingly, I've got two very similar boxes.  The machinist's chest I always thought was made by Parks, but I'll have to look closely for remnants of a Utica/Bonney logo.

The roller box had a hammertone green paint and I think I saw the outline of a Utica logo.  It had a hard life in a production shop and I had to do quite a bit of restoration and plate the lower drawer front where it had been kicked to push the box under a bench every night.  It is a good but not great, not quite Kennedy quality.

jack vines
Title: Re: Utica Bonney machinist's tool chest
Post by: rusty on January 30, 2013, 04:15:10 PM
Machinists boxes that don't hane rectangular drawer pulls are very unlikely to be Kennedy, they used that style pull for a very very long time, and used them for OEM boxes also (eg Proto)